Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz (1807-1873) c. 1874 - 1875

Editor: This is William Morris's portrait of Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz. There's an air of scholarly authority about it. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: It's fascinating to see Morris, known for decorative arts, engage with portraiture. Agassiz was a prominent Harvard professor, so how does this portrait function within the university's historical power structure and intellectual climate? Editor: That's a great point. I hadn't considered its institutional role so explicitly. Curator: Consider how images of important figures were circulated and displayed. Who was this portrait meant to impress, and what values was it meant to uphold? Editor: It really reframes the portrait as more than just an image of a man. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! Thinking about the politics of display enriches our understanding.